Support beam for a transport container

ABSTRACT

A support beam, configured to support a first side and a second side of a transport container, includes a first support member and a second support member. The first support member includes a first flange configured to engage the first side of the transport container. The second support member includes a second flange configured to engage the second side of the transport container. The first support member and the second support member are connected via a movable coupling which is capable of adjusting a cumulative length of the support beam to adjust to various size transport containers.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to the transport of shipping containers (such as boxes), luggage and other travel bags and, more particularly, to an adjustable support system to prevent crushing or compression thereof.

During travel, belongings frequently are broken due to heavy loads being applied to the container the belonging is being transported in, such as luggage, a travel bag, box, etc. Conventional luggage and boxes are made from material that is readily deformable, such as fabric with a liner to help stiffen it and cardboard. Travel bags are generally even less sturdy than most luggage. When it is simply clothes and other non-fragile items being transported, using conventional luggage and other travel containers or bags that might deform some is not particularly problematic. However, when valuables or other fragile items are to be transported, even slight compression, such as by setting another heavy piece of luggage on luggage, box, etc., can cause damage to the valuable or other fragile item.

Generally, in the context of travel, a traveler is not the only person that will handle a piece of luggage or a travel bag over the course of a trip because it is typically transported in a cargo area of the mode of transportation being used. The same holds true when an item is being shipped via a delivery service company. The individual(s) handling the bag or item being shipped do not have any real concern for the item being transported, nor are they necessarily aware that a fragile/valuable item might be in the package or bag/luggage. If an item is damaged during travel, the process for seeking compensation for the broken item can be lengthy, frustrating, and often-times unsuccessful. Furthermore, many items that are broken have sentimental value and cannot be easily replaced.

As can be seen, there is a need for an adjustable support system to prevent crushing or compression of shipping containers, luggage and other travel bags.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect of the present invention, a transport assembly includes the following: a transport container including a first side and a second side opposite the first side, the first side and the second side at least partially defining a volume therebetween, the transport container being configured to receive a first item within the volume; and a first support beam disposed within the volume and extending from the first side to the second side, the first support beam being configured to be positioned proximate the first item and provide support against external compressive forces to the transport container.

In another aspect of the present invention, a support beam configured to support a first side of a transport container and a second side of the transport container includes the following: a first support member including a first flange configured to engage the first side of the transport container; and a second support member including a second flange configured to engage the second side of the transport container, the first support member and the second support member being connected via a movable coupling which is capable of adjusting a cumulative length of the support beam.

In yet another aspect of the present invention, a transport assembly includes the following: a transport container including a first side and a second side opposite the first side and defining a distance therebetween, the first side and the second side at least partially defining a volume therebetween, the transport container being configured to transport a first item; and a support beam including: a first support member including a first flange that engages the first side of the transport container; and a second support member including a second flange that engages the second side of the transport container, the first support member and the second support member being connected via a movable coupling which is capable of adjusting a cumulative length of the support beam such that the cumulative length is substantially the same as the distance between the first side and the second side, the support beam being configured to provide support against external compressive forces to the transport container.

These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings, description and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention, in use;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the embodiment of the present invention, with a transport container lid positioned open;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a support beam of the embodiment of the present invention, the cross-sectional view being taken along a longitudinal axis of the support beam;

FIG. 4 is an elevational view of an upper member of the support beam of the embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is an elevational view of a lower member of the support beam of the embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 6 is a perspective view, similar to FIG. 1, of a variant of the embodiment of the present invention, incorporating connecting supports.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplated modes of carrying out exemplary embodiments of the present invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the present invention, since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims.

Broadly, one embodiment of the present invention is an adjustable support beam that, in use, extends from one side of a transport container (such as luggage, a package, etc.) to another, to stabilize the walls the support beam engages with to prevent buckling from occurring due to external forces being applied to the transport container. The support beam is adjustable in length to be usable with transport containers of various sizes.

Referring to FIGS. 1-6, an adjustable interior support system 10 for luggage and other transport containers 11 is herein disclosed. The transport container 11, embodied as a piece of luggage in FIGS. 1, 2 and 6, may include a lid 11 a operable between an open position (FIG. 2) and a closed position (FIG. 1) and a body 11 b. As discussed above, luggage and other transport containers 11, without added support, are prone to buckling or crushing due to unexpected external forces to the transport container 11. The transport container 11 defines an interior volume for receiving and transporting various articles/items. As is readily apparent from FIG. 1, this interior volume is defined by the lid 11 a, the sidewalls of the body 11 b, and the bottom wall or surface of the body 11 b.

As shown, for example, in FIG. 2, certain embodiments of the present invention may include one or more support beams 12 that are placed into the interior volume defined by the transport container 11. A support beam 12, as herein described, refers to an elongated structural support member, and may be embodied in various ways, accordingly, without departing from the spirt and scope of the present invention. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the support beams 12 may rest on a bottom surface of the transport container, and, when the lid 11 a is closed, the support beam 12 directly engages a lower surface/wall of the lid 11 a, thus providing support against potential external compression forces that the transport container might experience during travel. One or multiple support beams 12 may be used in a single transport container 11, and the support beam(s) 12 may be placed throughout the transport container 11, preferably proximate one or more items that may be particularly fragile, to provide superior protection from damage. It will be appreciated by those with skill in the art that the present invention may be positioned to support any opposing walls in a container where compression/crushing may be of concern, such as sidewalls of the transport container 11. In an exemplary embodiment, the support beam 12 is formed from plastic, but any appropriate strength material to provide support against compression may be used in accordance with the present invention.

In accordance with certain aspects of the present invention, the support beam 12 is adjustable in the direction it is elongated (i.e. a longitudinal axis) to provide support for differently sized transport containers. In order to adjust a length of the support beam 12, the support beam 12 may be divided into a plurality of sub-parts, such as a first support member 12 a and a second support member 12 b that movably couple with one another. In this exemplary embodiment, the second support member 12 b is provided with a rod portion (upper portion of the second support member 12 b as shown in FIG. 5) defining male threading 14, and the first support member is provided with a rod portion (lower portion of the first support member 12 a as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4) defining female threading. The male threading 14 and female threading screwably engage with one another to lengthen or shorten a cumulative length of the support beam 12. The male and female threading may define a slight interference fit, such that the first support member 12 a and second support member 12 b may remain in place relative to one another once the desired cumulative length has been reached. Alternatively, the material used to form the support beam 12 may result in a suitable coefficient of friction to maintain the first support member 12 a and second support member 12 b in place once the desired cumulative length has been reached.

End portions of the respective first support member 12 a and second support member 12 b are provided with a flange 16 and pad 18. The flange 16 provides an enlarged surface of engagement with the walls or lid 11 a of the transport container 11. The pads 18 directly engage the walls and/or lid 11 a of the transport container 11 and are formed from a material that increases the frictional engagement between the support beam 12 and the transport container 11. Furthermore, the pad 18 is deformable to further aid in absorption of any impact to the transport container 11. Finally, as shown in FIG. 6, connecting supports 20 may be provided to couple ends of the support beams 12. When multiple support beams 12 are utilized in a single transport container 11, the connecting supports 20 better ensure the support beams 12 remain in position. The connecting supports 20 may be provided in various sizes to allow for unlimited configuration options to orient the support beams 12 in a transport container as needed.

A method of making the present invention may include the following. First, a mold is created for the first support member 12 a and a mold is created for the second support member 12 b. Various molds may be made to fabricate any size support beam 12 needed for a particular transport container 11. Second, plastic is injected into the respective molds to form the first support member 12 a and second support member. Finally, a pad 18 is adhesively or mechanically secured to a flange 16 of each of the first support member 12 a and second support member 12 b.

A method of using the present invention may include the following. First, a transport container 11 is packed with an item of value or fragility. Second, a support beam 12, including a first support member 12 a and second support member 12 b screwably engaged, is placed within the transport container 11 proximate the item. The support beam 12 engages a first wall and a second wall, such as a bottom and a lid 11 a, of the transport container 11 during transport. A cumulative length of the support beam 12 may be adjusted by screwing the first support member 12 a relative to the second support member 12 b in order to substantially equal a distance between the first and second walls of the transport container 11. Finally, the lid 11 a on the transport container 11 is secured closed and is ready for safe travel or delivery. It should be understood that the same method may be used to protect multiple items with multiple support beams 12 or to use multiple support beams 12 to protect a single item. When multiple support beams are used, the support beams 12 may be coupled to one another by connecting supports 20 to better stabilize the support beams 12 within the transport container 11.

It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing relates to exemplary embodiments of the present invention and that modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention as set forth in the following claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A transport assembly comprising: a transport container comprising a first side and a second side opposite the first side, the first side and the second side at least partially defining a volume, the transport container being configured to receive a first item within the volume; and a first support beam disposed within the volume and extending from the first side to the second side, the first support beam being configured to be positioned proximate the first item and provide support against external compressive forces to the transport container.
 2. The transport assembly according to claim 1, wherein a length of the first support beam is adjustable.
 3. The transport assembly according to claim 1, wherein the first support beam is screwably adjustable to lengthen or shorten the first support beam.
 4. The transport assembly according to claim 1, further comprising a second support beam disposed within the volume and extending from the first side to the second side, the second support beam being configured to be positioned proximate a second item disposed within the volume.
 5. The transport assembly according to claim 4, further comprising a connecting support coupled to the first support beam and the second support beam.
 6. A support beam configured to support a first side of a transport container and a second side of the transport container, the support beam comprising: a first support member including a first flange configured to engage the first side of the transport container; and a second support member including a second flange configured to engage the second side of the transport container, the first support member and the second support member being connected via a movable coupling which is capable of adjusting a cumulative length of the support beam.
 7. The support beam of claim 6, wherein the first support member further comprises a first rod portion defining a female threading and the second support member further comprises a second rod portion defining a male threading, the female threading and the male threading facilitating the movable coupling between the first support member and the second support member.
 8. The support beam of claim 7, wherein the movable coupling defines a frictional fit between the male threading and the female threading.
 9. A transport assembly comprising: a transport container comprising a first side and a second side opposite the first side and defining a distance therebetween, the first side and the second side at least partially defining a volume therebetween, the transport container being configured to transport a first item; and a support beam comprising: a first support member including a first flange that engages the first side of the transport container; and a second support member including a second flange that engages the second side of the transport container, the first support member and the second support member being connected via a movable coupling which is capable of adjusting a cumulative length of the support beam such that the cumulative length is substantially the same as the distance between the first side and the second side, the support beam being configured to provide support against external compressive forces to the transport container.
 10. The transport assembly of claim 9, wherein the first support member further comprises a first rod portion defining a female threading and the second support member further comprises a second rod portion defining a male threading, the female threading and the male threading facilitating the movable coupling between the first support member and the second support member. 